[Vol. 8] Chapter 291: Meeting an Old Friend Again
From the looks of it, their origins were now very clear.
These powerful people were clearly more careful and cautious than the guards from the grocery store earlier, who had rushed in without thinking and surrounded people. This group didn’t scatter, but instead stayed together, forming a small but tight formation around the two merfolk in the middle. They could move forward or retreat as needed. With such skill, experience, and quick thinking, there was no doubt they were all true veteran fighters.
“Kaniel, what’s going on? The reports said there was a huge explosion at the base, you—”
The male merfolk in the lead had only asked the young woman two questions before his eyes instinctively moved to the side, and then froze slightly when he saw a certain priestess.
This time, she had purposely not worn her [Cognitive Obstruction Mask], so the man recognized her face immediately.
“You are… Miss Violet? It’s been a long time! But what’s going on here? I remember Princess Her Highness once said you should be in the Holy Empire right now.”
“Haha, plans never keep up with changes. Travelers moving around is normal, isn’t it? Long time no see, Alex. Looks like the injuries you had back then are completely healed.”
The black-haired girl greeted him with a cheerful smile, using a subtle hint to prove her identity. She had already sensed his presence earlier, because she actually knew both of the Mingjiao leaders in this group.
Alex Mingjiao had been the royal guard of the merfolk Kingdom who first welcomed them when [Noah’s Ark] arrived at the Eastern Sea Pearl. Later, when Nitila was taken by her father, and Queen Anies organized a rescue mission, Alex had joined the action and was badly injured in the battle.
She hadn’t expected that a year later, they would meet again. This time in the capital of the Austre Empire, thousands of miles away.
“Ah, those were just minor wounds. They healed long ago. I’m only here with the Princess to take care of some matters, I’m not the one in charge this time.”
The broad-shouldered merfolk man, disguised as a human, smiled confidently, lifted his trident, and gave the priestess a playful wink. Violet understood his meaning and nodded politely to the other Mingjiao girl beside him.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness. How has Her Majesty the Queen been lately?”
Violet didn’t know this woman very well, but they had met before, she was Princess Nitila’s older sister, another princess of the Mingjiao royal family. If Violet remembered correctly… her name was Valda.
Back when Nitila had led the merfolk troops to escort Violet and her companions across the Ghost Sea to the mainland, Princess Valda hadn’t gone with them. And yet here she was, together with Alex, in the imperial capital. Clearly, a lot had happened in their homeland over the past year.
As sisters, Valda and Nitila looked quite alike. But compared to Nitila’s fresh and lively charm, Valda carried a mature and gentle nobility. Even though she now wore simple commoner’s clothes and had disguised herself, her natural royal presence was still impossible to hide.
If Kaniel was a beauty in the making, then Princess Valda was a true peerless beauty, perfect in appearance, figure, and grace.
She had already recognized the priestess at a glance, her wide eyes full of surprise. Now that Violet had greeted her first, Valda quickly smiled and shook her head.
“Don’t misunderstand. The ‘princess’ Alex spoke of isn’t me. I’m only here to lend a hand and see the world a bit. Mother is doing well. The Eastern Sea Pearl has been peaceful this past year, and the great evil god hasn’t shown any signs of awakening yet. But…”
She was just about to keep talking when she suddenly seemed to remember something and looked around.
The earlier explosion had been very loud. It had immediately drawn the attention of everyone working behind the scenes here, and of course it would also alert many other groups, including the Imperial City Guards.
After what had happened before, Valda knew very well just how terrifyingly strong the person in front of her was, and she also understood her way of doing things. So, the moment she saw Violet, she had already guessed what had happened.
Meeting the priestess’s slightly helpless gaze, the princess understood without needing to ask, and did not press the matter. She simply nodded and, as the leader, gave her orders.
“This place is not safe. Since this is just a misunderstanding, we should go back and talk slowly. Kaniel, about the companions in the base…”
Violet quickly said, “Don’t worry, my friend knows how to control herself. She wouldn’t seriously hurt them. Just send someone to meet them, that’s enough.”
“That would be best,” Valda replied, turning to Kaniel, who stood respectfully.
“You will handle this yourself. Be careful, don’t get into a fight with the Imperial Army. This is a critical time.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
It had to be said, this princess had clearly learned well from Queen Anies. Her way of handling important matters was fast and decisive, almost seventy percent like the queen’s own style.
After giving her orders, Valda also took a few mysterious blueprints from Kaniel. She watched her quickly leave before turning back to Violet with a small nod.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go. By the way, Nitila has mentioned your name more than anyone else these days. She’ll be so happy when she sees you.”
Like the saying goes, “A cunning rabbit has three burrows.” In a dangerous place like the Imperial Capital, Valda and her people naturally had more than one safe hideout.
Led by Valda, Violet walked through three streets until they were far away from the scene of the earlier chaos. They stopped in front of an elegant private courtyard.
The front gate was closed and unguarded. Alex walked forward and knocked several times in a special rhythm. The gate seemed to respond and opened on its own. Violet found it surprising, but didn’t comment, she simply followed the group inside.
The other powerful fighters of different races seemed rather distant toward Violet. They greeted her briefly, then left. Only Alex and Princess Valda continued walking with her, through the courtyard and into the house.
Once there were few outsiders around, Violet turned to the princess and got straight to the point.
“So… it really was you who gathered the scattered tribes of the Eastern Sea to lead them in fighting against the Austre Empire?”
Valda nodded, but quickly shook her head.
“Of course, not the whole Eastern Sea, only some of the sea tribes along the coast for a few thousand miles. Even the Austre Empire’s navy can barely reach the farther places, so those areas don’t have deep grudges against the Austre Empire, and they see no reason to oppose them. Joining the alliance is completely voluntary, we only gave them an opportunity.”